Only one in 45 candidates who aspire to teach in English medium schools have met the minimum qualifying criteria as per the results of the Teachers Eligibility Test (TET) released recently.The results, which have been consistently poor over the years, recorded a slight improvement this time around. But still, less than 6% candidates cleared the exam to teach secondary students in Marathi medium. The results for English and Urdu medium schools were even worse, the result analysis showed.

The Right to Education Act makes TET scores essential for candidates to be appointed as a teacher in zilla parishad and municipal schools as well
as private institutions.

Maharashtra State Council of Examination commissioner R V Godhane said the results may have been poor as the exam is only in its third year. After Paper I of the examination for primary teachers was leaked, the council released results of Paper II only.
Educationist Vasant Kalpande said, “The aim of the test is to select the best of teachers. The result of the Central Board of Secondary Education for eligibility of teachers is also similar with a pass percentage of less than 5%. I believe, the assessment process should remain tough.
However, the education system should be revamped with more focus on enhancing learning process, alertness and creativity among others.“

Kalpande said the problem is not limited to the teaching profession. “Several reports have brought to notice that only about 25% of the engineers graduating each year are employable,“ he said.

The state made it mandatory for diploma in education holders or those pursuing a bachelor's in education and aspiring to become teachers to clear TET, which will be treated as a licentiate exam.

Heramb Kulkarni, education expert, said, “The eligibility test conducted by the government is fairly new. We will need at least five years' data to analyse the performance.“

The successful candidates will now be eligible for recruitment while the rest will have to reappear for the paper. Over 1.35 lakh candidates appeared for Paper II in Marathi, English and Urdu medium.